Thursday, August 30, 2012

:: Party Ideas - pop up dinner parties




Source: ohhappyday.com via Amy on Pinterest



I found this on the blog Oh Happy Day and I think it's genius!
Pop up dinner parties!
Invite a few friends and have a table already set up.
Bring the food.
And you have an amazing dining experience.
I love this idea.
I'm thinking I want to do one at the beach.
Where would you do one?


Source: ohhappyday.com via Amy on Pinterest



Wednesday, August 22, 2012

:: Family Happenings


Ava started preschool last week and loves it.
The minute she woke up, she'd ask if it was time to go yet.

Well, Reese thinks that she gets to go too.
Whenever Ava puts her backpack on,
Reese puts the extra one on.


She gets really excited when her sister and our neighbor are getting ready to go.
She runs to the door with them.


And then the door closes.
And she's left inside.
Totally. Not. Fair.


She's stuck with just me for the next 3 hours.

But don't worry Reese, I'm sure before you know it,
you'll be going to preschool too.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

:: Emergency Preparedness - water barrels

So, like most other families, we're trying to be prepared.
Prepared for any natural disaster that comes our way.
We have a long way to go.
We're not even close, but we're working on it.

Well, we've been trying to save up for some water barrels.
They're expensive!
But . . . if you check your nearest feed and supply store,
you could get some used ones for pretty cheap!
These were only $12 each.
Just make sure you clean them good with soap and water (maybe a few times).



Check out my preparedness board here.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

:: Food - brownies

Today Julia Childs would've turned 100 years old.
And I found this yummy recipe.
I really want to try it . . . like right now.
Happy Birthday, Julia!



Julia's Best Ever Brownies
 (adapted from 'Baking with Julia' with Dorie Greenspan)
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
Directions:
1. Put a rack in the center of the oven and pre-heat to 350 degrees.
2. Sift together the flour and salt; set aside.
3. Melt the butter and all of the chocolate together the in the microwave in a large bowl.
4. Add one cup of the sugar to the chocolate-butter mixture and stir for 30 seconds. Stir in the vanilla.
5. Mix the remaining sugar and the four eggs in an electric mixer bowl for a few seconds until just combined.
7. Little by little, pour half of the sugar-egg mixture into the chocolate mixture, stirring gently but constantly with a rubber spatula so that the eggs don't set from the heat.
8. Whip the remaining sugar and eggs in the electric mixer until they are thick, pale, and doubled in volume, about three minutes.
9. Using the rubber spatula, gently fold the whipped eggs into the chocolate mixture.
10. When the eggs are almost completely incorporated, gently fold in the dry ingredients.
11. Pour and scrape the batter into an unbuttered 9-inch square baking pan.
12. Bake the brownies for 22-26 minutes, they should rise a little and the top will look dark and dry.
13. Make a small cut in the the center of the brownies after about 22 minutes to check for doneness. They'll be perfect if they are just barely set and still gooey.
14. Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a rack before cutting.






Friday, August 10, 2012

:: Found on Pinterest - girl's room
































I really want to redo the color scheme in the girl's room.
Right now it looks like this (minus the changing table, chair, and with a full bed in it).

Here are a few of my inspiration photos.
And I've been looking all over craigslist for some iron beds that I can spray paint.
Someday soon I'll find them.



Thursday, August 9, 2012

:: Embrace the Camera 08.09.12

Sorry for being so lazy lately.
Summer's almost over so hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things.


We were able to visit family in Utah and Vegas recently 
and had a blast.
We spent some time up at our family cabin and the girls absolutely loved it.
I've definitely missed that place.
I'm so grateful for a place like that.
Where we can rest, relax, and enjoy eachother's company.


What have you been able to do this summer?



Friday, August 3, 2012

:: Food - grilled pineapple


We've been doing a lot of grilling this week.
And after seeing grilled pineapple all over pinterest, I was dying to try it!
I found this recipe here and loved it!
{and I especially love the name of this website}

The grilled pineapple was even better than I thought it would be.

Grilled Pineapple
- 1 pineapple
-1 T butter
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- lemon juice

Fire up the grill to medium heat.  Before placing them on the grill, sprinkle
the slices with a little bit of cinnamon and brown sugar.

In a small saucepan, heat the butter, brown sugar and the rest of the cinnamon.  
Heat until bubbly and the sugar is properly melted.

Grill the pineapple over direct heat for about 2-3 minutes per side, turning occasionally.
Each time it turns, baste with a brush of glaze.

Enjoy!!!


Oh, and I just have to share this cute picture of my girls.
I love these two little ones!